Gilpin says “no thanks” on $60,00 fod pantry grant

yield up to $600,000 for
the pantry with less strin-
gent requirements than the
Block Grant. Boyle said the
county also may request
a grant of up to $355,000
from the non-profit Colo-
rado Trust organization,
which gives money to
groups that help provide
food assistance in commu-
nities.

some Gilpin County Hu-
man Services Department
employees, who currently
share a building with the
public health department
and others along Highway
119. The kitchen could be
rented to outside orga-
nizations and companies
that need a place to pre-
pare many meals. County
Manager Ray Rears said
a similar kitchen-rental
operation in Nederland,
Boulder County, is usually
scheduled to capacity.

new food pantry has been
going on for more than six
years, and the new facility
could serve as a multi-pur-
pose building.

pin County to feed Gilpin
County,” she commented.

By Don Ireland
Senior Reporter
Gilpin County leaders
plan to build a new $1.3
million food pantry later
this year. However, what
the new pantry will look
like and how much grant
funding the new facility will
receive remains in limbo.

Berumen said there is a
difference between poverty
and food insecurity in the
state. “It is our responsibil-
ity. One in eight people are
food insecure in Colorado,”
she said. “Some people
could be one car repair
or one medical situation
away” from having enough
food.

Boyle noted that a study
conducted by the county
facilities department last
April said the current build-
ing, which has no founda-
tion, has a depreciated
value of $9,659 but would
cost $49,500 for repairs.

The Gilpin Board of
County Commissioners
decided at their meet-
ing Tuesday (Feb. 13) to
forego a chance to secure
a $600,000 grant toward
the pantry. Without a vote,
the commissioners said
the potential Community
Development Block Grant
for public facilities – a
federal program adminis-
tered through the Colorado
Department of Local Affairs
(DOLA) – had “too many
strings” attached. They also
said there might not be
sufficient time to conduct
a public hearing before the
grant application deadline
of Feb. 23.

The deadline to apply
for the DOLA-EMI grant
is March 23, while April 1
is the final date to request
the Colorado Trust funding,
according to Boyle.

She said the food pantry
served 2,092 households
and 4,295 individuals in
2022, which increased
to 3,958 households and
8,950 individuals last year.

Rears said the county
could conduct a future pub-
lic meeting about the new
food pantry to discuss the
potential design and other
aspects of the forthcoming
building. In the meantime,
the BoCC will be discuss-
ing the pantry during their
work session on Feb. 20.

According to Boyle, a
professional kitchen facil-
ity, apart from its use for
the food pantry, could be
rented out at a rate of $25
per hour or $250 per day,
which could help offset
operational costs for the
facility. Rears added that
organizations that provide
meals for first responders
could use the building, and
educational or nutrition
classes could be conducted
there.

As in past BoCC meet-
ings, a new food pantry
touched off some conten-
tious discussion among
the three commissioners.
Susan Berumen and Sandy
Hollingsworth, who voted
several months ago to hire
an architect to create plans
for the new pantry, said
they want the new facility
to have multiple potential
uses, including a meeting
room/dining hall, offices,
and a professional kitchen.
The new pantry would also
have freezers; the current
facility must store cold
goods at the Gilpin County
Justice Center.

Mornis said Gilpin
County has a poverty rate of
about 10 percent and ranks
among the lowest numbers
in Colorado. “I don’t think
it’s the responsibility of Gil-

Recaling R. Gradishar for al who mised him

Approximately 3.7 mil-
lion of Colorado’s nearly six
million current residents
are under age 45, i.e. born
in 1978 or after.

man has participated in
our athletic program,” said
OSU athletics director Ed
Weaver back then.

He’s also tied for seventh
all-time in fumble recover-
ies with 13. Two of the six
ahead of him are quarter-
backs, who were preventing
turnovers when they fell on
loose balls.

Heisman, a Super Bowl,
and a collegiate national
championship, and be
inducted into both the
College and Pro Football
Halls of Fame. In the book,
he relates a game against
Gradishar in 1980:

“Trainers and doctors
came running onto the
field. They thought I was
dead. Hey, I thought I was
dead, too.”

Sixth in Heisman Trophy
voting after his senior sea-
son (and the only defensive
player among the top six),
Gradishar was drafted 14th
by the Broncos. Only two

That means about two-
thirds of today’s Colora-
dans were either too young
to appreciate Randy Grad-
ishar’s play for the Broncos
or weren’t born
yet when his
10-year career
ended in 1983.

A year later, SPORT
magazine named Gradishar
one of the five hardest hit-
ters in the NFL.

Gradishar set the NFL re-
cord for tackles with 2,049
and was renowned as one
of the league’s hardest hit-
ters. No better testimony to
that exists than an account
from Tony Dorsett in the
book The Truly Great.

“I ran a pass pattern and
was wide open, but Danny
White did not see me. I go
back to the huddle and tell
Danny that I am wide open.

His Hall-ness is a mem-
ber of the College Football
Hall of Fame, the Ohio
State Varsity O Hall of
Fame, the Broncos Ring of
Fame, the Colorado Sports
Hall of Fame and the GTE
Academic Hall of Fame,
among countless honors.

players cho-
sen ahead of
him—No. 1,
defensive end
Ed “Too Tall”
Jones, and
fifth pick John
Dutton, a de-
fensive tackle,
played more
NFL games
than his 145.

“I ran the same route
again, but this time, I
was almost decapitated.
My eyes were only par-
tially open when I hit the
ground.

In addi-
tion, an un-
determined
number of the
remaining two
million-plus
state residents
over the age of
45 were living
somewhere else
when Gradishar
terrorized op-
ponents in the
National Foot-
ball League.

Dorsett rushed for more
than 1,000 yards in a
season eight times in his
12-year career and is one of
two players ever to win the

“Too Tall”
played the
most—224,
all for Dal-
las—and was
named to three
Pro Bowls (to
Gradishar’s
seven). He played for the
Cowboys when they beat
Gradishar and the Bron-
cos in Super Bowl XII.
Nonetheless, he hasn’t
been voted into the Hall of
Fame.

Do I ned to file a tax return this year?

in a Health Insur-
ance Marketplace
plan, you’ll need to
file.

Dear Savvy Senior,
What are the IRS income tax filing re-
quirements for retirees this tax season?
I didn’t file a tax return the past two
years because my income was below the
filing threshold, but I got a part-time
job late last year, so I’m wondering if
I’m required to file this year.

SAVVY SENIOR

And so, for
all who didn’t get to see
him lead Denver to its
first Super Bowl appear-
ance after the 1977 regular
season (including infants
who grew up to be ardent
Broncos fans and, presum-
ably, Gradishar admirers),
let me acquaint you with
the city’s newest member
of the Pro Football Hall of
Fame.

You’ll also need
to file if you’re
receiving Social
Security benefits,
and one-half of
your benefits plus
your other gross
income and any
tax-exempt interest
exceeds $25,000,
or $32,000 if you’re married and filing
jointly.

Retired Worker

Dear Retired,
Whether or not you are required to file
a federal income tax return this year will
depend on how much you earned last
year (in 2023), as well as the source of
the income, your age and filing status.

Five players from that ’74
draft preceded Gradishar
to Canton: Steelers Lynn
Swann, Jack Lambert,
John Stallworth and Mike
Webster (four HOFers in
one draft!), and Raiders
tormentor Dave Casper. All
were chosen after him.

BY JIM MILLER

Here’s a rundown of this tax season’s
IRS tax filing requirement thresholds.

Gradishar was a three-
year starter at linebacker
for the Ohio State Buckeyes
of coach Woody Hayes,
whose own gilded legacy
was tarnished by an unfor-
tunate sideline incident late
in his illustrious, if some-
times bombastic, career.

To figure all this out, the IRS offers
an online tax tool that asks a series of
questions that will help you determine
if you’re required to file or if you should
file because you’re due a refund. It takes
less than 15 minutes to complete.

For most people, this is pretty straight-
forward. If your 2023 gross income –
which includes all taxable income, not
counting your Social Security benefits,
unless you are married and filing sepa-
rately – was below the threshold for your
filing status and age, you probably won’t
have to file. But if it’s over, you will.

Gradishar joined the
Broncos following their
first winning season in his-
tory—7-5-2, good for third
place in their division, in
1973.

You can access this tool at  IRS.gov/
Help/ITA  – click on “Do I Need to File a
Tax Return?”  Or you can get assistance
over the phone by calling the IRS
helpline at 800-829-1040.

“The best linebacker I
ever coached,” Hayes once
said of his consensus first-
team All-America in 1972
and unanimous first-team
All-America in 1973. “No
more outstanding young

Single:  $13,850 ($15,700 if you’re 65
or older by Jan. 1, 2023).

He became a starter mid-
way through his rookie sea-
son and, by 1976, was the
centerpiece of what came
to be known as Denver’s
“Orange Crush” defense.

Married filing jointly:  $27,700
($29,200 if you or your spouse is 65 or
older; or $30,700 if you’re both over 65).

Check your state
Even if you’re not required to file a
federal tax return this year, don’t as-
sume that you’re also excused from filing
state income taxes. The rules for your
state might be very different. Check with
your state tax agency before concluding
that you’re entirely in the clear. For links
to state tax agencies, see  Taxadmin.org/
fta-members .

Married filing separately:  $5 at
any age.

During his
10 years in
orange and
blue, Den-
ver won 83,
lost 55 and
tied one,
and went to
the playoffs
four times.

Head of household:  $20,800
($22,650 if 65 or older).

Qualifying surviving
spouse:  $27,700 ($29,200 if 65 or
older).

To get a detailed breakdown on fed-
eral filing requirements, along with
information on taxable and nontaxable
income, call the IRS at 800-829-3676
and ask them to mail you a free copy of
the “1040 and 1040-SR Instructions for
Tax Year 2023,” or you can see it online
at  IRS.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1040gi.pdf .

Tax preparation help
If you find that you do need to file a tax
return this year, you can free file through
the IRS at IRS.gov/FreeFile  if your
2023 adjusted gross income was below
$79,000.

Forty
years later
he remains
tied for 11th
in pass in-
terceptions,
all-time,
with 20. Of
note, the
10 players
ahead of
him all got
theirs as
either safe-
ties or cor-
nerbacks,
who are
expected to
rack up PIs.

Or, if you need some help, contact
the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (or
TCE) program. Sponsored by the IRS,
TCE provides free tax preparation and
counseling to middle and low-income
taxpayers, age 60 and older. Call 800-
906-9887 or visit  IRS.treasury.gov/
freetaxprep  to locate services near you.

Check here too
Be aware that there are other financial
situations that can require you to file
a tax return, even if your gross income
falls below the IRS filing requirements.
For example, if you earned more than
$400 from self-employment in 2023,
owe any taxes on an IRA, Health Savings
Account or an alternative minimum tax,
or get premium tax credits because you,
your spouse or a dependent is enrolled

You can also get tax preparation as-
sistance through the AARP Foundation
Tax-Aide service. Call 888-227-7669 or
visit  AARP.org/findtaxhelp  for more
information. You don’t have to be an
AARP member to use this service.

Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

n 1859, Jules Beni,
a French trader,
established Jules-
burg as a trading
post along the South
Platte River in the
northeastern corner
of Colorado. From the
beginning, this was an
important stop along
the Overland Trail,
although the trail only
crossed this small
section of what would
become Colorado. Yet
the north/south fork
of the Overland trail
occurred at Julesburg,
making it a strategic
supply point. The north
trail followed the North
Platte River through
Wyoming to South
Pass, on into Califor-
nia and Oregon. The
southern trail followed
the South Platte River
to the early settlement
of Denver City. As
traffic increased along the route Fort
Rankin was constructed nearby
to protect the travelers from the
often roaming Indian raids.

Warring Indians sacking Julesberg settlement.

Photo courtesy of Denver Public Library

at their leave to plunder the area. Barrels of flour,
sugar, and molasses were taken, as well as sacks of
cornmeal, beans, sides of bacon and canned goods.
Both Charles and George Bent, members of the
Cheyenne Dog Soldiers, and sons of the famed fort
owner, William Bent, participated in the raid.
George later recalled the plundering, saying
the Indians did not understand things in a can,
and were disgusted when George opened a can
of oysters and slurped down the contents. Bent
also recounted the discovery of green paper by
the Indians. Not knowing it was federal cur-
rency, they threw it aside, at which point Bent,
who knew all too well the value of the money,
scurried to scoop it up. George Bent also found
a new soldier’s uniform, which he took and
proudly wore in future Indian raids.

And for a time, the U.S. Army prevailed in raids
of their own, such as Summit Springs, and Beecher
Island. This did not end the Indian wars in Colo-
rado or the West until 1876, in Montana, at a place
known as the Battle of the Little Big Horn.

Following the brutal massa-
cre of innocent Cheyenne and
Arapaho Indians at the peaceful
Indian camp in southeastern Colorado known as
Sand Creek, in November 1864, the Plains Indians
formed an alliance for war and revenge, the likes of
which the western settlers had never experienced,
culminating with the 1876 massacre known as the
Battle of the Little Big Horn.

Following the Sand Creek massacre, Indian war
councils were held and concluded, preparations for
raids along the Platte River were made, including
a massive raid at the town of Julesburg, Colo. The
immediate concern was fortification of supplies.

A short time later the women, led by Mo-chi,
entered the fray with packhorses and began
loading the goods onto the animals. As the war-
riors began to leave the scene, Mo-chi busied
herself with herding the captured horses.

“The tradition of the war pipe, when necessary,
was sent out in the spring, but after the slaughter
at Sand Creek, the war pipe went out in the winter,
this was early December. To my knowledge, from
the old ones, never before had the war pipe been
sent in the time of winter until after Sand Creek,”
said John L. Sipes, Cheyenne Nation historian.

Meanwhile, with the plundering of Jules-
burg in progress, the pursuing soldiers who
had followed the decoys, amazingly (perhaps
in confusion,) had dismounted and staged a
counter fight. The warriors pounced on the
soldiers, killing 15, including a bugler, who
many warriors first counted coup on. When Old
Crow made the final attack of death, Cheyenne
warrior Medicine Water took the bugler’s horse
as his prize. The victorious warriors made their
way to the retreating group, where Medicine
Water turned his prize horse loose with Mo-
chi’s horse herd.

Following several small raids along the Platte
River, the massive Julesburg raid occurred in Jan-
uary 1865. More than 1,000 warriors of Cheyenne,
Sioux and Arapaho made the attack. Included in
this war party were the many women who traveled
with the group, herding the extra horses needed
to carry the supplies obtained back to their camp.
Among these women was Mo-chi, a survivor of
Sand Creek, who insisted on helping her people in
whatever way she could. She would prove herself
worthy.

The Indians retreated from Julesburg for a
time, and the U.S. Army responded. Within
30 days of the Julesburg attack, the U.S. Army
sent added troops to guard stage stops and
various trails, including the Overland Trail. The
Indians responded by simply changing tactics
and destinations; the raids continued. Jules-
burg was raided again, burned to the ground,
and the town relocated, two miles north of the
army post. The town of Julesburg would move
two more times, unprecedented in Colorado
history.

It was an incredible attack; thoughtfully planned
and executed brilliantly. The collective warriors,
led by the Cheyenne Dog Soldiers, approached the
bluff above Julesburg, hiding in the sand hills. It
was a crisp cold night, yet it mattered not. Most of
the warriors were deep in thought and prepara-
tion. The warriors readied their lances, shields,
bows and arrows. Only a few had firearms. At sun-
rise on Jan. 7, 1865, a separate group of warriors,
led by Big Crow, quietly approached Fort Rankin
and rushed the guards outside the fort walls. The
soldiers returned fire and then the gates of the
compound opened with over 40 mounted soldiers
in pursuit of the Indian war party. The decoy
worked perfectly.

The Indian raids continued along the vari-
ous overland stage routes, eventually forcing
famed overland stage owner, Ben Holladay to
near bankruptcy. By 1868, the U.S. government
became convinced that peace negotiations were
needed once again. Successful at first, Jules-
burg and most of Colorado Territory were spared
from further Indian raids.

Soon the Indian scouts sent the signal and the
hidden warriors converged upon the fort and
nearby settler quarters. With the soldiers away in
pursuit of the decoys, the remaining warriors were

This historical marker, highlighting the
history of Julesberg, was
erected in 1931.

1st: Legal & Clasifi ed section

By Don Ireland
By Don Ireland

“That didn’t go very well. We
heard a lot about Sasquatch
(also called Bigfoot) and, if
you look today, it’s still well
advertised, So we decided to
go with Sasquatch. They’re
still looking for the sasquatch
on the internet and TV. The
sasquatch’s name sets up apart
from the other casinos.”
A Michigan artist designed
the gi-
ant, hairy
Sasquatch
creature that
welcomes
visitors who
walk in the
door. “The
artist said he
saw a Sas-
quatch run
up the hill
when he was
12 years old.
He got many
books about
it and later
designed
and built our
Sasquatch.
There is no
question in
his mind that
these are real.
He also built
another one
that is in our
Squatch gas
station,” said
Ed.
Many peo-
ple stop to snap a selfie with
the beast. They also venture
a few feet away to a small,
hairy sculpture that includes
a sign, “Rub the Sasquatch
butt for good luck.” Nearby, a
series of photos show how the
statue was built.
The present-day Sasquatch
operation is larger than when
it originally opened. The
Smiths purchased two smaller
spaces at the west end of their
place and made them part of
their casino. One section in-
cludes a small arcade section,
so children can play various
video games because state
law prohibits those under the

PART TWO
By Don Ireland
Senior Reporter
Ed and Shirley Smith are
considered casino legends
in Colorado. Married for 61
years, they never imagined
where their future would lead
when they exchanged vows.
Before gaming arrived, they
also operated a convenience
store and laundromat in Black
Hawk.
More than 60 years ago, Ed
had a friend in Fort Collins.
The man was dating a woman
from Wyoming and wanted
his lady friend to get someone
to go on a double date. That
woman convinced Shirley to
go along. That night, Ed met
Shirley… the rest became
history.
“She was from New Castle,
and I was from Rifle,” said
Ed. “Both of us had been in
4-H in our areas but never
really met. It was on that
double-date, a blind date for
Shirley and I, that we met,”
he added. “She and I had very
similar backgrounds with
farming and ranching. We
thought about things in the
same way.”
Ed and Shirley were mar-
ried in 1961.
Today, their family includes
four children (three sons and
one daughter), 14 grandchil-
dren and nine great-grandchil-
dren. The office walls at both
casinos are plastered with
family photos.
Shirley ran a laundromat
and convenience store in the
current Sasquatch space on
Gregory Street when gaming
arrived. “We rented the place
and had an option to buy,”
recalled Smith. “There were
quite a few shysters who came
and made promises, wanting
to take over. Shirley and I
decided to hold out because
we didn’t want to give away
our future for nothing.”
* * *
Selecting the appropriate
name for a casino can be chal-
lenging.
Picking the name for
the Wild Card Casino was
relatively simple because the
second floor of the historic
125 Gregory St. building (the
Sasquatch casino) contained
a stage and dance hall named
the Wild Card. The Wild Card
was established in a building
on Black Hawk’s Main Street
in 1995. The two casinos are
a stone’s throw away from
one another – especially if a
Bigfoot is hurling the stone.
On the other hand, it wasn’t
easy to choose the name for
the Smiths’ Sasquatch Casino.
Ed and Shirley were seeking
a new name for their Gregory
Street operation when they
went to dinner at a Chinese
restaurant in Idaho Springs.
“We talked to the Chinese
girl who worked there, and
she said, ‘This is the year
of the red rat.’ We thought
about the name ‘The Red Rat’
and laughed,” Ed recounted.

Drone light shows
replacing traditional fireworks

PART ONE
(Editor’s note: Senior
Reporter Don Ireland
sat down with Ed Smith,
who, along with his wife
Shirley, have been casino
and business owners for
more than three decades
in Black Hawk. This story
chronicles some of the
highs, lows and experienc-
es of the couple, who are
considered casino legends
in Colorado.)

Age of Drones
By Don Ireland

recalled,
members of
the state leg-
islature went
to the Brown
Palace to
smoke after
their session
concluded
for the day.
“When they
wrote the
[anti-smok-
ing] law,
they decided
if a certain
percentage
of your sales
was at a cer-
tain level or
over $50,000
per year in
[tobacco]
sales, you
could con-
sider your-
self a ‘cigar
bar’ and
continue to
allow smoking. So, we, and
about 40 or 50 other places
in Colorado, declared our-
selves as cigar bars. Our sales
exceeded $50,000, so we met
the criteria of becoming a
cigar bar.”
A few years later, other leg-
islators tried to pass a bill that
would’ve prevented smok-
ing from continuing inside
the Wild Card. “They were
trying to specifically get rid
of me.” However, the effort
failed. “We were very lucky,”
recalled Ed. “There was a
state house member who was
very knowledgeable, so it
ended up that they killed the

Hire UAV is scheduled to
conduct about 30 drone light
fireworks dis-
plays this year,
compared to
three in 2021.
While tradi-
tional fireworks
can be spotted
many miles
away, drone
light shows
can be seen
from about
two miles. The
drones, howev-
er, do some-
thing “cool.”
They can
change colors
and move in different direc-
tions and patterns – something
traditional fireworks cannot.
As reported last year in this
column, singer Dolly Parton’s

Dollywood amusement park
in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., has

If you were in Denver or
Aurora for the Fourth of July,
you probably watched tra-
ditional fireworks displays
lighting up the night skies.
Lakewood canceled its orig-
inally-planned display, citing
concerns over the recent dry
conditions that have firefight-
ers statewide on edge.
However, when Parker
and Castle Pines residents
looked to the skies in recent
nights, they didn’t see fire-
works – they saw drone light
shows. In Durango, officials
canceled the annual town July
4th fireworks show for a third
consecutive year. The town’s
residents and visitors still got
to see a sky show filled with
colorful drones flying and
forming unique patterns and
shapes.
As drone technologies con-
tinue to expand and improve,
we should expect to see drone
light shoes replacing tradi-
tional fireworks in the years
to come. Sure, the regular
fireworks surprise us with
bursts of light and ear-cover-
ing booms. There are several
reasons why drone displays
may take over the skies in
future years.
Fire is the primary reason
fueling the change. What
town council wants to spend
$30,000 to $100,000 (or
more) for fireworks, then face
lawsuits if the display hits the
earth and starts a blaze?
Holiday fireworks touched
off small brush fires in Doug-
las County in December 2021,
only days before the destruc-
tive Marshall Fire ignited in
Boulder on Dec. 30, burning
1,084 homes. With drones,
nothing burns…unless a rare
equipment failure causes the
drone to fall from the skies
and crash.
Another reason is the envi-
ronment. In today’s eco-sensi-
tive world, people are con-
cerned about things that burn
and spew dust and smoke
into the atmosphere- not to
mention ashes strewn on the
ground near the fireworks
launching site. Drones don’t
cause such pollution; they
can be recharged and used for
years.
Graham Hill, owner of Den-
ver-based Hire UAV Pro, said
fire concerns about traditional
fireworks displays have led to
many inquiries for his compa-
ny. (UAV is the acronym for
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles,
commonly called drones.)
“We had hundreds of calls
following the Marshall Fire,”
Hill told 9News recently.
He noted that his company’s
drone displays are typi-
cally flown above paved or
manicured lawn areas, further
reducing potential fire danger.

the Wall Street Jour-
nal reported that drone
package
deliveries
began in
the Texas
community
of Little
Elm. Wing, a
subdivision
of Google,
teamed with
Walgreen to
fly packages
in an
experimental
program
that has
been under
discussion for
several years.
Using Wing’s drone-deliv-
ery app, customers can select
from 100 items, including
over-the-counter medicines

and household essentials, a
Walgreens spokesperson told
the WSJ. Products delivered
through other Wing custom-
ers, including ice cream from
Blue Bell Creameries, first-aid
kits from Texas Health Re-
sources and pet prescriptions,
will be handled from a mixed-
use development in Frisco,
Texas, by Wing employees.
Wing said deliveries will be
limited to “tens of thousands
of suburban homes” in Frisco
and Little Elm for now.
Please note: It could be
many years before anyone
considers using drones to
make deliveries in Gilpin
County, where maneuvering a
delivery drone could be chal-
lenging because of trees near
homes, not to mention sudden
wind gusts.

Drones
Drones

St. James Methodist celebrating more than 160 years as a church,
gathering place and historical icon in Central City

bill. Every year, something
new comes up. I’m surprised
I don’t have ulcers because
things can get very stressful
at times.”
Today, the Smiths continue
to operate the only casino in
Colorado where smoking is
permitted.
It wasn’t the first time Ed
and Shirley encountered is-
sues with politicians. “Before
the casino could open, we
were required to pay the City
of Black Hawk for parking
and transportation,” recalled
Smith. He said they paid $6
million to Black Hawk to par-
ticipate in a parking program,
which called for casino pa-
trons to park in lots up Grego-
ry Hill and use shuttle buses
to get back and forth during
the early days of gaming. The
Smiths didn’t get their money
back when the plan eventu-
ally fizzled. “The city fathers
seem to have forgotten about
that,” he commented.

HAWK AND CENTRAL CITY

SINCE 18
SINCE 18

Last of two
parts

festivals annually.
Chinn is the director of historic
properties for the Central City Op-
era, a nearly century-old organiza-
tion that has brought thousands to
Central City. The opera also owns
more than two dozen historic prop-
erties in the city.
Phil Headrick has helped with the
maintenance of the church for many
years and helps at Emerl’s. He is a
volunteer fire captain for Central
City Fire Department, Jefferson
County Incident Management Team
(IMT), Rocky Mountain Blue IMG,
instructs firefighters on wildland fire
control and helps with the Colo-
rado Wildfire Incident Management
Academy.
Church Member Dorothy Sweet is
another congregation member who
impacts the Gilpin County com-
munity. She serves as a cashier at
Emerl’s and has many friends who
volunteer there, including Sharon
Bell, Sharon Perea, Robbie Zmuda,
Diane Martin, Jan Crego, Willy
Lickey (until she moved away) and
others. Sweet also volunteers at the
library, Timberline Fire Auxiliary
and the local Meals on Wheels pro-
gram. “This keeps me active and I
have met so many wonderful Gilpin
County people,” she noted.
Not only is Wes Broderius the
musical director at St. James, but
he is one of the few people who
know how to play the giant, historic
Steere pipe organ installed in 1899 in
the sanctuary. Previously, he was the
conductor for 34 years of the Lu-
theran Chorale and Orchestra, which
made seven concert trips to Europe
and Scandinavia. He was a music
professor at Concordia University in
Nebraska and an organist and choir
director at churches in Colorado,
Florida and Nebraska for a total of
67 years. Joked Broderius, “I’m older
than dirt, 89.”
Another well-known member is
Jeanne Key, whose husband, John,
was a descendant of Francis Scott
Key, who wrote the lyrics for the
American national anthem “The Star-
Spangled Banner,” in 1814.
Gail and Mike Keeler are also
highly involved with the church
and community. Mike works at the
Visitor’s Center on Eureka Street and
is a Central City Wild Bunch mem-
ber. He’s also been the emcee at the
Madam Lou Bunch bed races annu-
ally. On occasion, he acts with local
theater groups. He is a church board
member, changes the sign outside
the building weekly and performs
maintenance. Gail is on the church
council board as treasurer, secretary
and events coordinator. She compiles
the weekly church bulletin, handles
the landscaping and coordinates wed-
dings and funerals. The couple cleans
the church weekly and helps prepare
the building for the weekly service on
Sunday, which begins at 10 a.m. and
is followed by fellowship.
The couple also helps to coordinate
guest pastors and speakers while the
board is trying to find a new pastor.
The previous pastor, Rev. Dr. Scott J.
Schiesswohl, retired in May.

RCI planning
growth beyond
2 local casinos

drone fireworks shows nightly
during parts of its summer
season.
* * * *
About two weeks ago,

By Don Ireland
Senior Reporter
The scriptures
say, “You are the light
of the world. A city
built on a hill can-
not be hid” (Matthew
5:14). In many ways,
that Bible quote speaks
about St. James Meth-
odist Church. Not only
is the towering stone
building visible from
its hillside location on
Eureka Street, but also
congregation members
have shone brightly
in Central City with
decades of community
service and involvement
for more than 160 years.
That tradition contin-
ues today.
Since 1999, the
church has operated
Emerl’s Thrift Shop,
which is open from 10
a.m. until 2 p.m. on
Fridays and Saturdays
at 111 Eureka St., a few

Ed Smith hangs out with his Bigfoot buddy at the Sasquatch
Casino.
Photo by Don Ireland

age of 21 from loitering in a
casino.
When the Wild Card
opened in 1995, it included
space for a small convenience
store that continues today. It
also sells a lot of cigarettes
and cigars. About two de-
cades ago, the anti-smoking
movement began gaining
momentum in Colorado. In
2008, smoking was banned in
the state’s casinos.
The Smiths resisted the new
law, claiming their operation
fell under the state’s permit-
ted exemptions.
When the smoking bans
were being considered, Smith

Continued on next page

By Don Ireland
Senior Reporter

All dressed up for the church’s 164th homecoming this year were (seated) Wes Broderius, (bot-
tom row, l-r) Jonas and Jaclyn Schrock, Robbie Zmuda, Gary and Alynn Huffman, Chuck Fullen,
Sharon Wieland, Gail and Mike Keeler, Deborah Wray, John and Diane Martin, Kim and Greg
Graham, Eric Chinn, Ed Lewandowski, (top row) Colleen and Jim Stewart, Jeanne Key, Barbara
Thielemann, Glenda Allen, Sharon
Perea, Mary Pateigo, Tessa McQueen,
Matteo Adams, Karen Blaise, JoAnn
Kerr, Jody Losaw and Chris Duis.
Photo courtesy
St. James Methodist Church

DON’T JUST KINDA TV
DIRECTV

RCI Hospitality Holdings closed a $2.4 million
deal with Central City earlier this month to purchase
the former Scarlet’s Casino building at 130 Main St.
However, that acquisition is only the first of several
planned in Colorado by the adult-entertainment
company.
Eric Langan, RCI CEO and president, previously
announced plans to purchase three former casino
properties at the other end of Main Street, the former
Coyote Creek Casino at 101 Eureka Street and 98
and 102 Lawrence Street. The sale closing for those
properties is expected to occur before March 2023.
He estimated that RCI will spend approximately $24
million to purchase and remodel the two casinos,
which will open as new casinos – one featuring a
Rick’s Cabaret Steakhouse & Casino and the other
featuring a casino with a sportsbook/nightclub.
Central City isn’t the only metro Denver loca-
tion that RCI is eyeing for expanding its nationwide
collection of businesses, which includes strip clubs/
cabarets, restaurants and casinos. Last week, RCI
announced a $1.875 million deal to purchase the
Grange Food Hall on Arapahoe Road in Greenwood
Village. The Grange facility includes several restau-
rants, including the Crack Shack, Menya Ramen,
Seoul Mandoo, Tilford’s Wood Fired Pizza and Up-
town & Humbolt. The current property also has Little
Dry Creek Brewing, which would supply microbrews
to its other metro operations, according to RCI.

ACCESS 70,000+ SHOWS AND MOVIES ON DEMAND.
Requires subscriptions to top-tier PREMIER programming. Other packages will have fewer shows and movies.
THE MOST LIVE SPORTS IN 4K HDR.
Limited 4K HDR programming available. CHOICE Pkg or higher required for most 4K HDR live sports. 4K HDR compatible equipment, minimum
programming, 4K account authorization and professional installation required. If 4K TV does not support HDR, content will be viewable in
standard 4K. Other conditions apply.

doors down from St. James. Emerl’s
(also called Emerl’s Emporium) of-
fers a variety of items, ranging from
clothing, household goods, furniture,
toys, coffee makers, vases, electron-
ics and much more. All are donated.
You never know what you will
find at Emerl’s because the lineup
of offerings changes almost weekly.
There are items priced from $1 and
up. The store is staffed by volun-
teers, including people from differ-
ent faiths. It’s also a gathering place
where neighbors and friends meet
and chat about what’s happening
around town. Many people purchase
items but pay more than the listed
price, their way of contributing even
more to help the shop’s purpose.
Money collected at Emerl’s is
donated to people who need help
and worthwhile community causes,
ranging from fire victims to the
unemployed and struggling fami-
lies and individuals who could use
a helping hand. The shop gives
money to local groups, including
the local Gilpin County Food Pan-
try and the school prom.
Other congregation members are
driving forces in local organiza-
tions. The board of trustees for
Gilpin Historical Society includes
Mike Keeler (vice president), Col-
leen Stewart (secretary), Eric Chinn
and Deb Wray from the church.
Wray, a member of Central City’s
Historical Preservation Commis-
sion, also plays a part in helping
to run the church. Other church
members involved with the Gilpin
County Arts Association are Bar-
bara Thielemann, a member of the
Central City Planning Commission
and the chairman of the Central
City Main Street Commission,
which sponsors several community

Expect to see more drone light shows in the future, like the ones at Dollywood.
Photo courtesy of Dollywood

*Available only in the U.S. (excl Puerto Rico and U.S.V.I.). Req’s compatible device. Live streaming channels based on your TV pkg & location. Not all
channels available to stream out of home. To watch recorded shows on the go, must download to mobile device using Genie HD DVR model HR 44 or higher
connected to home Wi-Fi network. Rewind and fast-forward may not work. Limits: Mature, music, pay-per-view and some On Demand content is not available
for downloading. 5 shows on 5 devices at once. All functions and programming subject to change at any time.

SIGN UP AND GET DIRECTV AND GET FIRST 3 MONTHS OF HBO MAX, CINEMAX, SHOWTIME,
STARZ AND EPIX INCLUDED!

Become a Published Author with Dorrance.
We want to read your book!
Trusted by authors for nearly 100 years, Dorrance has made
countless authors’ dreams come true.

Access HBO Max only through HBO Max app or hbomax.com. HBO Max also includes HBO channels and On Demand on DIRECTV. Online account registration required. Data rates may apply for app download/usage. EARLY TERMINATION FEE OF $20/MO. FOR EACH MONTH REMAINING ON AGMT.,
$19.95 ACTIVATION, EQUIPMENT NON-RETURN & ADD’L FEES APPLY. New approved residential customers only (equipment lease req’d). Credit card req’d (except MA & PA). [See offer details]

Contact your local DIRECTV dealer!

IV Support Holdings

Volunteers staff Emerl’s Thrift Shop. Linda Lehrer has
been helping for three years at the shop, which gets
many visitors and residents who come to check out
the bargains.
Photos by Don Ireland

Complete Book
Publishing Services

Our staff is made up
of writers, just like
you, and we are
dedicated to
making publishing
dreams come true.

S
E
C
O
N
D

FIVE EASY STEPS
TO PUBLICATION:

1. Consultation

4. Distribution

2. Book Production

S
E
C
O
N
D

5. Merchandising
and Fulfillment

3. Promotion

Call now to receive your FREE Author’s Guide